THE PHYSICISTS ROAD TO THEORETICAL BIOLOGY AND THE MIND-MATTER PROBLEM

Basic features of a physical-scientific approach for describing intric ate biological behaviour such as the mind-matter problem are discussed . The emphasis is put on the fact that we describe Nature by a hierarc hic structure where concepts are well defined at their proper level bu t where we must accept that these concepts have a limited scope. This makes it possible to have ''emergent'' features at higher levels which do not necessarily have any relevance at lower levels. Reductionism a nd the distinction between ''predictability'' and ''strict determinism '' is considered from that aspect. Questions of whether classical mech anics is inadequate for describing living systems or if quantum mechan ics is necessary and more appropriate are discussed. It is argued that ''classical mechanics'' seen in the scope of the paper provides the m ost appropriate framework in this context, and that any conflicting vi ew is based upon basic misunderstandings. Finally, some aspects of lea rning, thinking and consciousness are discussed, and it is emphasized that these must be regarded from a biological-evolutionary point of vi ew.